topic Re: Help-Remove Ink from Plastic Table in Kitchen

Help-Remove Ink from Plastic Table

Tigriss — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 20:54:23 GMT

I've got ink scribbled on my tables at work. I've tried the different cleaners we have and a magic eraser, which works well on the pencil but not on ink. The tables are the slightly textured, modern plastic, folding tables. Because the surface isn't smooth, the ink seems to be staying. HELP!

Thanks in advance!

Re: Help-Remove Ink from Plastic Table

Annabellethecat66 — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 20:58:16 GMT

I don't know if this will work for you but.....when my granddaughter was a toddler she found one of those thick black permanent marker and drew all over my fruitwood coffee table.

I figured I didn't have anything to loose so I took out one of those sponge-like things (white) that takes marks off of the wall, etc. and wet it a little.

It totally took everything off of the wood but it didn't mess up the finish at all! No one was more surprised than I was!

I also use it for removing boo boos from the fake tanning stuff on my skin and it works for so many other things.

Try it.

Re: Help-Remove Ink from Plastic Table

I am still oxox — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 21:03:35 GMT

Hair spray will liquify the ink, I owuld test a small area first, but it is generally my go - it for ink

Re: Help-Remove Ink from Plastic Table

Irish1210 — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 21:06:07 GMT

My first thought was "Mr. Clean Magic Eraser" but since you tried that.............

Maybe a spritz of aerosal hairspray, let it sit a minute and then scrub if off? Worth a try............... Good Luck : )

Re: Help-Remove Ink from Plastic Table

Tigriss — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 21:32:44 GMT

@Annabellethecat66 I've done the Magic Eraser. It is great for everything. We use them on our marker boards at work to gently remove any marker stains and on the chalk boards. They make great erasers, but it only seems to work on the pencil. I had used it on the desks I previously had, but they had a smooth finish. The textured finish of the plastic tables seems to absorb the ink. I've not thought about using them for self-tanning boo boos. I'll add that to my little tanning kit. I'm very fair, so self tanning is the only way to go for me.

Re: Help-Remove Ink from Plastic Table

Tigriss — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 21:36:17 GMT

@iamstilloxox and @Irish1210 I'm thinking it is the alcohol in the hair spray that makes it work. I can't get a pressurized can into work due to security, but I may be able to get in a small travel bottle with alcohol in it. I've already read about ammonia working, so I may pick up a few of those travel bottles and bring in a small amount of rubbing alcohol and ammonia to try. It is just that darned textured surface that seems to cling to the pen. It is gang markings, so I want it off. My students got a right chewing for it. Due to the gang, I'm sure I know which ones did it, and they know I know. They haven't done any more. I don't know what it is about a table in a class that makes adults turn back into middle schoolers writing on the table!

Re: Help-Remove Ink from Plastic Table

Mz iMac — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 22:08:54 GMT

Let maintenance or the janitor take care of it for you.

Re: Help-Remove Ink from Plastic Table

StraytoStay — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 22:24:17 GMT

409 worked for me once with ink.

Re: Help-Remove Ink from Plastic Table

ECBG — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 22:27:54 GMT

I would use a light hand and soft scrub.

Re: Help-Remove Ink from Plastic Table

forest4thetrees — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 22:54:09 GMT

Absolutely use aerosal hair spray and a very absorbent cloth (diaper, paper towels, tp, tissues, etc). Spray, let set a second, blot up; repeat. It works! I've also used on the fabric covered "walls" of the individual office sections when a pen rolled too close and the cloth just soaked up the ink right out of the tip of the pen!.

Re: Help-Remove Ink from Plastic Table

Tigriss — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 23:06:53 GMT

@MziMac Those individuals don't take care of things like that. Our chemicals are tightly controlled due to being a prison. It was a great thought though. Even when I taught public school, they didn't have anything in the school to remove it. Chemicals in schools are even tighter controlled. Our schools are not allowed to have bleach. Figure that.

Re: Help-Remove Ink from Plastic Table

Irish1210 — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 23:59:22 GMT

@Tigriss

Please let us know how you make out : )

Re: Help-Remove Ink from Plastic Table

Tigriss — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 00:44:55 GMT

I'm going to try the alcohol routine. I may be able to find a pump spray hair spray. I also ready that ammonia allowed to sit for a bit would work, so I'll try that too. I need to get more Magic Erasers too for my regular cleaning of things. I think I'll also bring in a microfiber cloth for cleaning it up too. We don't really have cloths at work for wiping things down. I'll let you know how it goes on Monday when I get to work and have time to scrub away.

Re: Help-Remove Ink from Plastic Table

noodleann — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 05:13:03 GMT

I'd try acetone, which I think is still in nail polish remover, if the ammonia fails. Good luck.

Re: Help-Remove Ink from Plastic Table

x Hedge — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 11:11:13 GMT

@Tigriss old fashioned cheap hairspray is the standard cleaning agent for ballpoint ink. I pickup 2oz non-aerosol bottles in the 'sample size' bins. But you didn't specify ballpoint ink.

I recommend Goo-gone. Follow directions. Wipe with plain white cotton terrycloth rag. You may want to pick up a nailbrush at the dollar store for scrubbing the goo-gone into the textured surface.

Re: Help-Remove Ink from Plastic Table

PinkyPetunia — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 12:50:31 GMT

Alcohol, acetone nail polish remover, bleach or a cleanser containing bleach. I never tried hair spray.

Re: Help-Remove Ink from Plastic Table

Tigriss — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 14:46:41 GMT

@noodleann I'll pick up some of that as well! I'll have 3 things to try to remove the ink.

Re: Help-Remove Ink from Plastic Table

Tigriss — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 14:49:29 GMT

@x Hedge I'll try the Goo-Gone too. That will be four things to try. I'll also try to find a nail brush to go with it. Between those four things, one of them has to work!

Re: Help-Remove Ink from Plastic Table

Fressa — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 15:45:36 GMT

I have had some luck with first using a simple ink eraser then a few drops of Dawn (blue) on a microfiber cleaning cloth. You may have to do it a few times.

Re: Help-Remove Ink from Plastic Table

x Hedge — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 00:49:41 GMT

@Tigriss, I'm so sorry.

I posted after being awake all night and I was too tired (lazy) to get up and check my stain removal book and the Goo-gone label before I wrote my earlier reply.

Its NOT hairspray for ballpoint ink. Its acetone (nail polish remover), or alternatively, rubbing alcohol.

Oddly, trying to wash it off with detergent and water may set the ink stain.

Further, the Goo-gone, which is good for so many things, doesn’t mentioned ink removal on the label.

I feel so awful for passing on wrong information and being sleep deprived was no excuse. Sorry.